GA07 July 24, 2018 Democratic Primary Runoff Election Candidates

In the May 22, 2018 primary election, no GA07 Democratic candidate received 50% of the vote, so on July 24, 2018, there will be a Democratic runoff election between the top two candidates—Carolyn Bourdeaux (D) and David Kim (D). See their views on climate, energy and the environment, below.

Position statement on the environment

Just as we judge prior generations for their failure to recognize human rights, I think that future generations will judge us for our failure to address the environment and climate change. I have a 6 year old son and I’ve started to think about what his future is going to look like.

One prediction is that given the rate of the bleaching of our coral reefs, we will lose 90% of our coral reefs by 2050 and that this will produce a catastrophic destruction of ocean life and this also will produce a massive disruption of our food chain and loss of fisheries. My son will be in his 30s when this happens.

We already face increased flooding on our coasts, but by 2100 experts predict we will lose most of southern Florida and coastal cities around the world will be underwater. We will either need to make massive investments in infrastructure to stave off flooding or will have to deal with huge population resettlement. My son will be old – late eighties – by the time the full effects are felt but the growing impact will affect his day to day life in ways we cannot fully predict.

Meanwhile, our government is subsidizing the destruction of our planet. The US provides $20.5 billion in subsidies to the fossil fuel industry each year. I see a place to start to balance our budget. We must reinstate the Paris Climate Accord which calls for an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 and align our energy policy and investments to meet these goals.

David Kim (D) will run against Carolyn Bourdeaux (D) in the July 24, 2018 Democratic primary runoff election.

No position statement on climate change

Kim does not have a position statement on climate change.

Position statement on environmental protection

Too many in Congress are preventing us from developing safer, cleaner and cheaper energy. We are the most innovative nation on earth, yet we are missing out on hugely profitable advancements in clean energy.

Let’s put our communities to work to make us more energy efficient, grow our economy, and to protect our planet from the special interests who don’t care about our future. The United States should lead the world in the development of smart development, clean energy, and “green-collar” jobs. We can create thousands of jobs, and put people to work protecting our environment, building clean alternative energy sources, and securing a place for America as a global leader in the green revolution.